JAZZ POSSU (FI) - Pasi Virtanen / 2017.02.22
Translated from Finnish to English.
The enormous impact of Jan Johansson's album Jazz På Svenska on Swedish and Nordic jazz is undeniable. Listening to pianist Mattias Nilsson's debut album Dreams Of Belonging, Johansson comes to mind when Du Gamla, Du Fria turns out to be a well-known national anthem - albeit under the name Folk Melody From Västmanland in strong folk and blues tones. Unhurried, unpretentious playing, restoring beautiful melodies.
But this is not just a reheating of Johansson, but part of a continuum in which the improvisation of jazz and the freedom of interpretation are applied to different musical starting points. The more romantic side of classical music, folk music and direct nods to the core of traditional jazz expression - in the interpretation of Södermalm composed by Thore Swanerud in particular, he starts to swing comfortably in the solo.
Among the nine tracks are three of Nilsson’s own compositions, five Swedish folk songs, compositions or hymns, and Gentle On My Mind, made famous by John Hartford’s Elvis, Glen Campbell and Dean Martin. A beautiful harmonious grip carries through the record - Nilsson’s playing is cordial.